Smith wins Barroca three star

Ireland's Steven Smith, riding Mr. & Mrs. J Allwood’s Quality VH became the first Irish eventing rider to win an international competition in 2007, when he finished on a score of 56.8 penalties in the CIC Three Star class at Barroca D’Alva in Portugal yesterday.

Steven rounded off the achievement by also finishing 9th and 11th respectively on his other two rides in the class; Harron-Eakin Farm’s Ringfort RaRa Ruby and Mr. Jim Stevenson’s Colour Coded. And to complete the achievement, he also finished 3rd in the CIC One Star on his own and Mrs Gina Johnson’s Fernando.

Steven’s margin of victory in the CIC Three Star was a comfortable nine penalties over New Zealander Joe Meyer, who was riding his WEG 2006 mount Snip, the leader after dressage. However, a total of only four time penalties on the Cross-Country phase lifted Steven into first place going into the final phase, where he left all fences up and added just a single time penalty for a decisive victory.

Eventing Ireland’s Performance Manger, Lars Christennson commented: "Clearly the work done and the commitment shown by everyone concerned, from riders and owners to those who have worked so hard on revitalising Eventing Ireland had to start paying off at some stage.

"This is a great start to 2007, and we look forward to further improvements throughout the remainder of the season."

EVENTING RESULTS: CIC 3* BARROCA D’ALVA PORTUGAL 1-4 MARCH 2007

CIC 3*

FINAL RESULTS

Sunday, March 11, 2007

1) Quality VH; Steven Smith (IRL) Penalties 56.8

2) Snip; Joe Meyer (NZL) Penalties 65.8

3) Rock Model; Vittoria Panizzon (ITA) Penalties 67.4

9) Ringfort Rara Ruby; Steven Smith (IRL) Penalties 79.5

11) Colour Coded; Steven Smith (IRL) Penalties 92.5

30 starters